"But America's Different"

While I agree with Greenwald and Campos's assessment of Instercracker (short version: Reynold's is a demented, lying sack of shit...well, they were actually a bit more civil than that), I do question this concluding paragraph:

One of the most pressing problems we face in this country is that what was previously considered to be so radical and un-American as to be unthinkable has become perfectly mainstream and acceptable. Identifying truly warped extremism is of the greatest importance. Kudos to Professor Campos for his efforts towards these ends.

I agree with Greenwald's assessment only to an extent. Some people have had a warped sense of what's acceptably "American" for quite a bit of time



Note: these are photos from in Ohio and Colorado, respectively, that is to say, the Klan is by no means exclusively a Southern organization, although we in the South certainly have a shameful legacy of our own


Between the officially accepted tactics of law enforcement and outright criminal acts employed in the name of...outright discrimination, I often wonder/marvel at the sheer capacity we humans have for denial. For instance, Trent Lott, of all people, just can't understand why some people in Iraq don't get along with others.

Maybe this will refresh your memory, Senator.

And, while I personally tend to think more long-term, being an amateur/hobbyist historian and all--for instance, it occurs to me that, just to cite four examples, Emmett Till, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodwin, would all be right around retirement age were it not for the fact that all were murdered by people who (obviously) were violently opposed to the concept of genuine democracy--I'll grant that some folks consider these individuals, and the struggle for democracy (i.e., Civil Rights) a thing of the "past." I dunno: maybe it's the (no pun intended) black and white newsreel-style footage that makes it look like a "period piece."

Maybe this will put things into context

And the red flag, the one next to the stars and bars? Here's a different angle


Now, VERY fortunately, despite BushCheneyCo.'s obvious contempt for concepts like "democracy" or "rule of law," the fact is that, at least for some of us, there's still a reasonably degree of assurance that at the end of the day, we can head home or elsewhere without having to resort to the war of all against all (admittedly I also benefit from being a white male...and from the fact that I don't live in Iraq...or New Orleans). BUT, I sometimes wonder what would happen here if a little of the BushCheneyCo.'s "liberatoryiation strategery" was applied here in 'merika. (and, come to think if it, that's sort of what's happening in New Orleans right now, to a certain extent). I can't imagine the results being any better than what we're seeing in Mesopotamia. And the horrified reaction on the part of especially those who've been pushing for this particular strategery would be in inverse proportion to their indifference to the suffering they've been actively or tacitly supporting.